Combined contraceptive pill and long-term cancer risk

A major UK-based observational study has assessed the very long-term cancer risks and benefits associated with use of combined oral contraceptives.¹ The study examined the incidence of specific cancer types, as well as the incidence of cancer overall. The authors noted that previous research has identified benefits in terms of reduced risk of endometrial, ovarian and colorectal cancers, and harms resulting from an increased risk of breast and cervical cancer. However, there has been a lack of evidence on the beneficial effects in the long term. Therefore, the study looked at whether benefits persisted into later life, whether combined oral contraceptive use during the reproductive years led to new cancer risks later in life, and the …